Italian memorial honors American hero

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Briana Jones
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
It was on Christmas Day 1943 when 23-year-old Maj. Hugh Muse Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice for his country when his aircraft was shot down by enemy fire over Italian soil.

Now, 69 years later, a memorial plaque in Muse's honor was unveiled on April 14 in the small Italian town of Vighizzolo D'Este where his remains and that of his P-38 were discovered in 2008.

Family of the war hero gathered alongside U.S. military officials, Italian dignitaries and community members to honor Muse and pay tribute to his short lived, but full life.

Vighizzolo D'Este Mayor Michele Barbetta, who spoke at the ceremony, said he was honored to be a part of such an important and historical event.

"I want to believe that the good lord endowed our community with the task of remembering him, to pray for his soul along with all the fallen soldiers honored in this memorial which we celebrate every Nov. 4 and April 25," said Barbetta of the memorial site in which two other Italian military members are remembered. "With this memorial plaque we want to honor the American pilot, who, together with our fallen soldiers, sacrificed their lives for the ideals of freedom and peace."

The remains of Muse and his aircraft were excavated by the Romagna Air Finders, a private Italian organization focused on finding the remains of World War II pilots who crashed in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna. After seven long hours on Oct. 4, 2008, the group was able to unearth the remains of Muse, giving his family closure and the ability to give a war hero a proper burial with military honors.

Leo Venieri, president of the Romagna Air Finders, reflected on the hard work that went into locating Muse and said he was thankful to be a part of such a warming tribute.

"Today for us is a rather meaningful one," he said, "because after so much time spent researching, working, and investigating, it is with the utmost sympathy and emotion that we participate in commemorating the memory of the young pilot, forgotten for so many years at the site where he was hit by enemy fire."

One person who never forgot Muse was his niece Linda Tagert, who traveled across the Atlantic Ocean from Memphis, Tenn., to attend the memorial plaque unveiling. She also recounted her memories of 2008 when she received word that her uncle's remains had been discovered.

"It began with a phone call from the United States Army establishing that I was now the next of kin for Hugh Muse, Jr.," Tagert shared. "The knowledge of my Uncle Hugh's plane being found along with further human remains was shocking. The news stirred emotions of sadness, joy and pride in me and my family members. The journey I have embarked on has been a journey of meeting my Uncle Hugh. Amazingly the journey has led me here to meet some of Italy's finest citizens. As a nation you have appreciated Uncle Hugh's sacrifice from the day it occurred in a farmer's field here in Vighizzolo D'Este."

Muse was born on May 24, 1920, and raised by his parents, Hugh and Elizabeth Anderson, in Yazoo, Miss. After graduating high school, he attended the State University of Memphis. During his third year of college, he decided to join the Army Air Forces, where after some intense training, he received his pilot's license in September 1941. Promoted to the rank of major, Muse successfully completed 49 missions shooting down two enemy aircraft before his 50th and final mission on Dec. 25, 1943. After his death, Muse was awarded the highest recognitions for military valor; the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart.

Closing the ceremony was Sergio Martinello, president of the city library and person responsible for spear heading the search for Muse's remains. As the crowd listened intently, Martinello spoke to Muse.

"I am talking to you Major Muse," he said. "You are listening to us. Your story had been incredible and gave so much. I am happy now because as the [JPAG] motto says 'Until they are home' we were really able to bring you back to your hometown in Tennessee. We can really say to you now, "Major Muse mission accomplished!"